Hello all I have my check ride on November 6th I have about 90 hours in a Cessna 172 Mike model when I first started flying almost 2 years ago the plane was all suction gauge except for the Attitude indicator which is a G5. A few months ago the plane was out for a long time getting a Garmin GFC500 autopilot, EDM 830 engine monitor, and a G5 HSI. I have had a couple of multiple month breaks from flying due to one being a left shoulder injury, which prevented me raising my left arm, which is not great for flying lol. And also another break for a while. The new interface were getting installed. One of my instructors other students just took a check ride with the same DPE that I will have. I just got on the phone with him for a couple hours and asked him about everything that they discussed and he gave me a full rundown and I took notes on that. I feel like even with all of my hours. I’m still not great at Soft and short field landings. Does anyone have any tips overall for things that I should 100% know for the oral section and any hacks or things to remember for the flying portion that may have caught you off guard in a check ride?

(More of an observation than a complaint): I’ve noticed over the last few years that flight schools in my area (DMV) are increasingly making it more difficult to rent an aircraft without an instructor. Within the last month, the two flight schools I rent out of have implemented polices like:

•No night flights without permission
•No flights without an instructor without permission from management (we have to fill out a reservation request now via a google form)
•Students flying with instructors have the priority (renters can get booted out so a student can take the plane)
•Must pay a minimum of 1hr of instruction for a mandatory “dispatch” before every flight

These are just to name a few. And look, I get it— renters are more of a liability. These are simply safety policies. But I haven’t been able to find a “renter friendly” place that doesn’t make your life hell just to do a few laps in the pattern. I’ve only been in this industry for ~5 years and I’ve seen some pretty big changes since. I’m just trying to time build without paying ungodly instructor fees.

Flight clubs as well are telling pilots they aren’t interested in letting you in if you are time building. Any idea why this is? Just food for thought.

I also feel this may be related to the rise in 141 flight schools, since it seems like the FAA is trying to phase out part 61.

I'm not sure if it's just this area or what, but whoever writes the weather discussions seems to have such a good time doing it, they're a joy to read. It got me thinking about AI and all the personality and individualism that is lost when people use AI to write and summarize (but that's a whole different discussion).

Anyway I hope the author continues to be for a long time.

Miami Area Forecast Discussion

My 1960 Comanche 250 was due for an avionics upgrade, and I didn't know whether to make incremental changes or give it a full makeover. After deciding to spend the money, I went back and forth for months on whether to upgrade to the G500 or G3X Touch. For anybody waffling about the decision, let me tell you, the G3X is absolutely amazing and I do not regret it at all. If you're thinking about it, stop thinking about it and do it, one way or the other. It has transformed the flight experience for me. And sure, I won't be able to recover everything I put into the panel ($57,000), but it keeps me and my family safer and it makes me enjoy flying so much more. Thanks for reading. Fly safe and have fun. (To answer obvious follow-ups: Additional cost of upgrading the GPS to a GTN650xi and the autopilot to a G500 was $37,000... I couldn't stomach that. The GPS and autopilot both work fine.)

Are there any current or former Cape Air Captains who can confirm their position and share their base, realistic monthly pay, and overall Quality of Life? Specifically, how much overtime is available throughout the year, what are local rents like near your base, and what has your overall experience been flying as a Captain there?

I have my PPL checkride coming up, and my DPE assigned a cross-country scenario involving flying three occupants to (KHHR) Hawthorne, picking up a fourth passenger and additional baggage, and continuing to San Diego (KMYF).

After calculating weight and balance in my PA-28-161, I determined that carrying everyone would limit me to approximately 15.5 gallons of usable fuel at maximum gross weight.

My planned second leg would leave me about 8 minutes below my personal minimum of 45-minute fuel reserve. I considered reducing fuel, adding a fuel stop, and changing the routing, but I don’t believe those compromises are justified for a recreational flight.

My preferred PIC decision would be to have the fourth passenger arrange alternate transportation and fly directly to San Diego with the original three occupants.

I’m planning to bring the original scenario’s calculations along with a complete alternative flight plan.

For DPEs or applicants who’ve encountered something similar: Would you consider this good ADM, or would you expect the applicant to fully plan and present the original itinerary regardless of whether they would actually fly it?

I’m not trying to avoid the assignment due to the complexity of the airspace or just by being stubborn. I want to demonstrate that I evaluated it and made a deliberate safety decision.

As a private pilot flying purely for pleasure in the UK, would you recommend getting the IMC Rating first and then progressing to a CB-IR, or going straight for the IR?

Also, is it better to get the Night Rating before or after instrument training?

Thanks!

Took the IRA written yesterday, October 26th which was the date of the new changes the FAA made to the exam (originally for the 27th but the moved it earlier. Was originally scheduled to take it on the 25th to get it done before the update but the testing center had technical issues and I had to reschedule for after. I was worried there would be alot of new questions that weren't on the sheppard test prep and didn't really know what to expect but everything was still pretty much identical. Walked out with a 92%.

As far as new questions, the only thing I saw that was different were the IFR enroute charts which are pulled from current screenshots of active charts (pretty sure these will be regularly updated to stay current). Only got around 5 of those questions but you definitely need to learn how to interpret ifr charts otherwise this will catch you off guard since the figures cant be accessed by the public so test prep softwares like sheppard air wont be able to replicate these questions. On top of that, all of the figures/charts/images are now directly on the screen so there's no need to use the supplement booklet (they still gave me the booklet and markers/pencils but I didn't open it once).

Aside from those chart questions (tho I cant say with 100% certainty since I was only given 65 out off 1000ish questions), everything else was still verbatim to sheppard air question bank. All textual questions were exactly the same. The questions that used figures other than the ifr charts (approach plates, HSI, those arrow and quadrant questions, etc) still used the same figures that are available in the supplement so rote memorization still works although some of them are easier if you just learn how to interpret them (this video will save you on those holding pattern entry questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkEJUJK52Eo )

Not sure if the FAA plans to continue making updates so that rote memorization wont work anymore, but its 90% good as of now. Hopefully this helps anyone who's stressing over taking the IRA or FII exam this month. In Sheppard Air we trust

Hi everyone, I’ve been recently selected for the December 2026 intake of Air Arabia’s MPL programme and have a few questions for people who have already joined previous batches:
-Is there a specific date by which we must arrive in the UAE before the commencement date?
-Is an iPad provided by the academy or are we expected to purchase our own?
-Are there scheduled holidays or breaks during the two years at the academy? Also what does a typical week look like?

I grabbed my flight data from flightradar24 and 3D printed the route, then overlayed it onto a scale-matched map.

This is a work in progress that I wanted to show off and get suggestions on. The plan is to print the map in color on nice paper and then frame it all in a square shadow box.

Are there any flight schools that offer introductory flying courses that don’t require flying? I love aviation and am fascinated by planes and the industry in general, but unfortunately am too afraid to ever actually attempt to fly myself (at least for now). Can I still take courses to learn? Thanks!

I have a composite squadron for Civil Air Patrol that meet up at my airport every Tuesday night. I was curious what it takes to volunteer? I have around 150hrs and hold my PPL. I'd love to do something meaningful to build my hours towards a career in aviation instead of just doing a bunch of random cross country flying, but I cannot afford my own aircraft at this time.

Is there an hour requirement to do volunteer flights? Also, do I need a military background?

I would also be very interested in doing Pilots N Paws or Angel Flights, but I have no idea how to get into these non-profits without having my own aircraft.

Thank you so much for any guidance offered.

Hi! I’m a 23-year-old guy currently studying at university. After completing my degree, I plan to attend a flight school in the US. I want to know what subjects and courses are taught during flight training, starting with the SPL and PPL, so I can study and practice on my own whenever I have free time.
On a side note, I come from an aviation family. My great-grandfather was an aircraft mechanic, my grandfather was a flight engineer on the Boeing 747, and my dad completed his flight training in Oklahoma.my dads brother also followed the same path.
I’ve grown up around aviation, so I already have some knowledge of the field and a genuine passion for aircraft. I’d love to start preparing myself academically before beginning my formal flight training

Got the ATM written this week and was wondering what the FAA changed about the written? No more Sheppard air rote memorization? lol, thanks 🙏

I've been browsing this sub for a while, and I keep seeing the same advice: train Part 61 and get a degree in something other than aviation. I'm genuinely curious about the reasoning.

From where I'm standing, the university-affiliated Part 141 programs seem to offer a lot. They come with the R-ATP at 1,000 hours, structured training, and direct connections to airlines through pathway programs like Aviate and Propel.
Setting the price tag aside, why do so many people still advise against them?

I'm also wondering if the advice still holds in the current market. From what I'm seeing, not many "off the street" applicants are getting hired right now, which makes the university route look more appealing, not less. Is the Part 61 advice based on a hiring market that doesn't exist anymore?
Not trying to start an argument. I'd really like to hear from people who went either route.

Some people fight for every flying lesson, working hard and paying their own way. Others have everything handed to them and still don’t appreciate the responsibility that comes with teaching others.
The hardest part of getting my licence wasn’t learning to fly—it was dealing with one instructor who treated students like an inconvenience while those students were paying thousands of dollars and putting their trust in them.
When you’re chasing a licence, you often stay quiet because you don’t want to jeopardise your progress. Looking back, that’s exactly why poor instructors get away with it.
Thankfully, licences are earned, not gifted. ✈️

I bought a PA-38 and had to spend some money getting it through annual this year. I don’t fly it much and was wondering if anyone’s had luck leasing or renting out aircraft on rent a plane.com or other sites/groups? I don’t need to make a bunch of money but would like to keep it flying.

1/21 CFI
8/18 Multi engine add-on
10/27 MEI (retest after a stupid failure on oral last month)

Going to grab a bottle of cognac tonight, then start saving for CFII, but maybe a seaplane add-on or two should be more fun, no?

I like NetJets and can do the job well, but I have known for a long time that I ended up here by being home-based for my ex-spouse. Now that the relationship is over, I do not like the lifestyle even more. I am thinking about taking an Air Med job with more time off on a 14/21 schedule and I am pretty sure that the quality of life would be more my tempo. I just feel this is foolish taking a huge pay cut from NetJets however I truly believe my personal health would be better for it. Anyone go through a similar situation and actually leave NetJets to not regret it?

Hey gang, don't even really know where to start on this one. I just got tbnt from my dream regional carrier. I was a cadet. Bit on my current resume

1k total, ratp mins, 55 multi, ratp grad and check instructor, 2 degrees in aviation, 2k community service hours. Our school is partnered with this airliner.

I got kicked for probably the most frustrating reason one could think of. About 8 months ago, my student turned the wrong way (see my old post) I got a loi, the letter resulted in absolutely nothing, no penalty, no fine, no cert action, my prd is squeaky clean. Being an honest individual, I clicked the box asking if I had ever "received one"

Biggest mistake I've probably ever made. Yeah, I received one, but it was such a nothing burger of an event that nothing came from it. So I'm assuming I got auto rejected because of it. I'm honestly so devastated, to think id have a job if I just didn't list it.

Looking for advice, where to pivot? Obviously apply everywhere, a regional would be best, but I'll take anything. Not a cadet anywhere else, I'd love to see the inside of a jet by the end of next year, but I don't know if that's possible.

To add, I won't start lying about it, I'm not that kind of individual and don't do that, I just want to vent, because it's quite frustrating when doing the right thing doesn't get you the right outcome.

I'm usually a really nervous test/checkride taker in any scenario and was curious how stressed I really get during checkrides. Needless to say its pretty bad.

1st stress spike: Did a morning practice flight and to go pick up the maintenance logs. Fairly relaxed with nothing crazy.

2nd stress spike: The checkride. Really crazy that it spiked as soon as I got in the plane to when we finished.

After the ride, I felt pretty dry like I hadn't had any water for a while and like I had the adrenaline crash. Just some interesting data I thought I would share from flying for the day.

Hi all,

I currently have 244 hours, finishing up my instrument training. Next year my PTO balance at work will increase to 30 days so I am planning on using some of my vacation days for CPL training. Instead of traveling elsewhere for those "accelerated" courses, I am considering schedule multiple lessons everyday for a week with my current Part 61 school and continue practicing until my checkride (no in-house DPE).

Has anyone done something similar? Working full-time 9-5 limits me to weekends because of my other responsibilities, so this way I could focus properly on my training, and maybe do something similar again for CFI.

Thanks!

Looking for a good DPE (and a gouge if possible) to do my IFR Checkride at or near KLOU. Thanks in advance!

Lifelong corporate pilot considering dipping my toes into the majors.

I live within driving distance of all three NYC-area airports and am curious what years 1–5 realistically look like at United, American, and Delta.

What can I expect in terms of compensation on a basic schedule, without picking up extra trips or chasing premium pay? I have no interest in grinding.

Also curious about quality of life, particularly weekends, holidays, and schedule flexibility during those first five years?

Appreciate any insight from those currently flying for the Big Three.

Thanks